kiillotella

Kiillotella is a fictional genus of tintinnid ciliates, small single-celled marine protists known for their protective lorica. In this world-building entry, Kiillotella is placed within the phylum Ciliophora and the tintinnid lineage, with Kiillotellidae as its proposed family; the type species is Kiillotella marina. The name honors the imaginary taxonomist Kiillot.

Kiillotella cells are typically 40 to 90 micrometers long and have a slender, urn-shaped body encased by a lorica composed of organic material and detritus. The lorica is often trumpet-shaped with an opening at the anterior end, allowing the cell to protrude when feeding. Around the oral region are ciliature bands that beat to draw in prey, mainly tiny algae and bacteria, contributing to the microfood web in their habitats.

Habitat and ecology: Kiillotella is described from temperate coastal and estuarine waters and is commonly found free-swimming or attached within the mucilage of substrata. As a grazer, Kiillotella helps regulate phytoplankton populations and serves as a prey item for larger protists and early zooplankton.

Reproduction occurs primarily by asexual binary fission, with occasional sexual processes hypothesized from observed nuclear changes in some populations. The genus includes Kiillotella marina as the type species; other species are proposed in regional surveys for future validation.